Institutional Scholarships, Awards, Fellowships and Work Study

ACADEMIC, SCHOLARSHIP, SUMMER FELLOWSHIP AND WORK STUDY OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR UPPER-CLASS STUDENTS

Touro Law Center strives to foster a student-centered academic environment where students are afforded the opportunity to achieve their academic and professional goals through open access to faculty, administrators, alumni, local area judges and attorneys.

The Administration recognizes the burdens associated with the cost of legal education and although Touro Law is among the least expensive private law schools in the State, priority has been given over the last year to external fundraising for both scholarships and summer fellowships.

The following scholarship and grant opportunities are available to upper-class students for the 2014-2015 academic year.

SCHOLARSHIPS/GRANTS

ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIPS:

Achievement scholarships are typically awarded to upper-level students based on class rank at the end of each academic year and vary based on full- or part-time division. In addition, some students who do not attain the retention standards for scholarships that were awarded upon admission may be offered reduced scholarship assistance if they are in the top half of their class at the end of the academic year. There is no application process for these scholarships. Achievement scholarships may be added to existing merit or incentive scholarships awarded upon admission. The amount of incentive awards vary based on class rank and division. Students will be able to apply one-half of the award in the fall semester and one-half of the award in the spring semester. Achievement awards are not applicable for intersession or summer session and no more than 50% of an annual award may be used in one semester.

COMMUTER SCHOLARSHIPS:

Established in 2013, commuter scholarships are available to continuing students who travel to the Law Center at least 60 miles round-trip per day and more than two days per week. Awards are in the amount of $1,500 per academic year ($750 per semester). The scholarship is renewable for additional semesters. These scholarships are awarded competitively and applications are due in April 2014 for the 2014-2015 academic year.

YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM:

Touro College and Touro Law Center participate in this grant program available to eligible veterans that permits a scholarship award up to 25% of tuition. This scholarship is in addition to any available GI and VA benefits the student may be qualified for from the federal government. Veteran students must contact the Financial Aid Office to confirm eligibility.

ANNUAL/ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS – BY APPLICATION

Touro Law Center has added more than a dozen new endowed scholarships this past year. Students enrolled for the 2014-2015 academic year are encouraged to apply for all scholarships for which they are eligible, based on the criteria of each scholarship available. All scholarships require an essay based on stated scholarship criteria. Applications are due in April 2014 for the 2014-2015 academic year.

ARLINE BESUNDER SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2013 by Harvey Besunder, Esq. in memory of his wife Arline ’92. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a rising 2L (FT/PT) or rising 3L (five-year PT) woman student who shows an interest in health law and/or professional ethics.

CAMPOLO, MIDDLETON & McCORMICK, LLP SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2014 by the Law Firm of Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a rising 2L (FT/PT) or rising 3L (five-year PT) student with an interest in land use.

CERTILMAN BALIN ADLER & HYMAN SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established by Touro Law Center Board Chair Howard Stein and the partners of Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman in 2013. The scholarship is to be awarded annually to a rising 2L (FT/PT) or rising 3L (five-year PT) who shows academic promise.

ELLEN EISENSTADT COHEN SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2014 by Touro College. The scholarship will be awarded to a female student who best exemplifies the qualities of Ellen Eisenstadt Cohen who was committed to her family, and a woman of integrity, skill and kindness.

GERALD J. SCHER MOOT COURT SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2013 by Florence Hessen Scher ’85 in honor of her late husband. The Scholarship will be awarded to a rising 2L (FT/PT) or rising 3L (five-year PT) who is an incoming member of the Touro Law Center Moot Court Board. The determination of the award is to be based upon 50% need and 50% on a written essay regarding the candidate’s Moot Court aspirations.

GROSSMAN FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2013 by alumnus Jack Grossman ’88. It is to be awarded annually to a rising 2L (FT/PT) or rising 3L (five-year PT) who is a well-rounded student and active in student life at Touro Law Center.

GUTTERSON FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2014 by alumnus Scott Gutterson ’83. The scholarship will be awarded to two (2) law students who demonstrate an interest in the fields of business, tax or entrepreneurship.

ILENE H. BARSHAY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE:

Stan and Ilene ’87 Barshay, together with their family, created this award to recognize a rising 2L student who has demonstrated both excellence in Legal Process and compelling circumstances outside of the classroom.

JAMES WEISSMAN SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2014 by Linda Weissman. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a rising 2L (FT/PT) or rising 3L (five-year PT) student with an interest in business law.

JOAN AND STEPHEN W. SCHLISSEL SCHOLARSHIP IN FAMILY LAW

This scholarship was established in 2015 by Joan and Stephen W. Schlissel. The scholarship will be awarded to a rising 2L (FT/PT) or rising 3L (five-year PT) with an interest in family law.

JOAN AND STEPHEN W. SCHLISSEL SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2015 by Joan and Stephen W. Schlissel. The scholarship will be awarded to a rising 2L (FT/PT) or rising 3L (five-year PT) with a demonstrated interest in the importance of procedural rules.

JOHN SANTUCCI JUSTICE SCHOLARSHIP

This Scholarship was established in 2014 by North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Foundation and Law & Psychiatry Institute in honor of Sol Wachtler, a life trustee of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, former chief judge of the New York State Court of Appeals, a longtime member of the Touro Law Center’s Board of Governors and a Korean War Army veteran. The scholarship is to be awarded annually to a law student who is a veteran or is focusing on studying veterans’ issues, mental health or disability law.

JOSEPH M. MARGER SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2014 by Joseph M. Marger, class of ’89. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a law student with an interest in corporate or business law.

THE JUDGE SOL WACHTLER VETERANS SCHOLARSHIP

This Scholarship was established in 2014 by North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Foundation and Law & Psychiatry Institute in honor of Sol Wachtler, a life trustee of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, former chief judge of the New York State Court of Appeals, a longtime member of the Touro Law Center’s Board of Governors and a Korean War Army veteran. The scholarship is to be awarded annually to a law student who is a veteran or is focusing on studying veterans’ issues, mental health or disability law.

KERMIT GITENSTEIN SCHOLARHIPS

These scholarships were established in 2014 by the Kermit Gitenstein Foundation. The scholarships will be awarded to two rising 2L (FT/PT) or rising 3L (five-year PT) students who will be designated as Gitenstein Scholars. One Gitenstein scholarship is designated for a qualified student with an interest in health law and the second scholarship will be for a qualified student with an interest in aging and longevity law.

LEFKOWITZ FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2013 by Touro Law alumna Helen Lefkowitz ’88. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a rising 2L (FT/PT) or rising 3L (five-year PT) student who is dedicated to professional ethics.

LUIS PAGAN LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2014 by the Long Island Hispanic Bar Association Community Service Fund (LIHBA) with the goal of enhancing the diversity of the student population at Touro Law Center and in the Long Island legal profession. The scholarship will be awarded to the recipient of the Duffy & Duffy summer Public Interest Law Fellowship. (Please see the Duffy & Duffy Fellowship for more information).

MARTIN AND LAURIE TANKLEFF SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2014 by Touro Law graduate Martin Tankleff ’14. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a student interested in wrongful convictions specifically and more generally in criminal defense work.

MASCHLER FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2013 by Touro Law graduate Matthew Maschler ’97. The scholarship will be awarded to a rising 2L (FT/PT) or rising 3L (five-year PT) student who is dedicated to the ideals of the profession and collegiality.

PATRICIA E. SALKIN SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established by the family and friends of Dean Patricia Salkin on the occasion of her Academic Convocation and installation as the 5th Dean of Touro Law Center. The scholarship will be awarded to a rising 2L (FT/PT) or rising 3L (five-year PT) female student who shows commitment to women’s and/or diversity issues.

POSNER & GAIER SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2015 by alumna Phyllis Luster Gaier '85. It is to be awarded annually to a rising 2L (FT/PT) or rising 3L (five-year PT) with an interest in criminal defense for indigent clients.

RIVKIN RADLER LLP SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2014 by the Law Firm of Rivkin Radler LLP. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a rising 2L (FT/PT) or rising 3L (five-year PT) student who shows academic promise.

RUSKIN MOSCOU FALTISCHEK SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2014 by the Ruskin Moscou Faltischek law firm. The scholarship is to be awarded annually to a rising 2L (FT/PT) or rising 3L (five-year PT) student who shows academic promise.

SCHWARTZAPFEL LAWYERS P.C. SCHOLARSHIP

This Scholarship was established in 2014 by the Schwartzapfel Lawyers P.C. law firm. The scholarship is to be awarded annually to a law student who is a son/daughter of a union member, has a 3.5 GPA or higher, and is in financial need. Applicants must submit a 500 word essay describing what inspired them to pursue a law degree as part of their application.

SHEILA AND STUART SALKIN SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2013 by Dean Salkin and her husband Howard Gross in honor of her parents. It will be awarded annually to a law student who is either currently or was previously a K-12 teacher pursuing school while also raising a family; or someone raising a family who has expressed an interest in educational law.

SHIRLEY FUCHSBERG SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2013 by the Fuchsberg family in memory of their mother, Shirley Fuchsberg, a longtime supporter and friend of Touro Law. This scholarship is awarded to a rising 2L (FT/PT) or rising 3L (five-year PT) female student that shows academic promise.

SUSAN M. DIETRICH CLYNE ’88 MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

This Scholarship was created by Touro Law in memory of Susan Dietrich Clyne ’88 who perished on 9/11 in the World Trade Center tragedy. The Scholarship is awarded annually to a rising 3L part-time student with significant family responsibilities.

TSUNIS FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2014 by John Tsunis. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a student with an interest in land use and/or real estate law.

ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS – ADMINISTRATIVELY AWARDED

The following scholarships are administratively awarded to upper-class students based on the selection criteria set forth by the donors.

BESS AND SAMUEL ZEIGEN SCHOLARSHIP

The late Marshall (Buddy) Zeigen established this scholarship in 1997 in honor of his parents. The scholarship is awarded to a rising 2L who demonstrates exceptional academic promise along with a proven commitment to community service.

FAY AND SAUL STARR SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was created by the Fischtein family in honor of Sharon Fischtein’s parents. It is awarded annually to a rising 2L who is an academically gifted student.

SIDNEY R. AND WALTER SIBEN SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is named for its benefactors, the founders of the Siben & Siben Law Firm in Bay Shore. The Scholarship was established to recognize students with significant potential.

AWARDS

CLASS OF 2014 SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2014 by the Class of 2014. The scholarship will be awarded to five Class of 2015 graduates who are actively involved in the Touro Law community.

MORRIS E. FISCHER, LLC AWARD

This award was established in 2012 by Morris Fischer ’95. The award will be presented to the student who earns the highest grade in the Jewish Law class and/or demonstrates a strong appreciation for the importance and contributions of Jewish law.

FUNDS FOR SCHOLARSHIP & ACADEMIC SUPPORT

THE THOMAS AND CYNTHIA ROSICKI DISABILITY FUND

This fund was established in 2013 by Touro Law Center alumnus Thomas Rosicki ’97 and his wife Cynthia. The Fund is to be utilized as needed to meet reasonable accommodations for one or more students with a disability. At the discretion of the Law Center, interest income of the Fund can be utilized as a scholarship for a deserving student with a disability.

SUMMER FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Touro Law Center offers funding for summer fellowships on a competitive basis. The deadline for Summer 2014 applications is Monday, March 31, 2014. Unless otherwise specified, all Fellowships are awarded at $4,000 for the summer and acceptance of the Fellowship funds is contingent upon returning in the fall of 2014 to Touro Law Center.

THE FANNIE AND SAMUEL GLICKSTEIN MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP

Dean Emeritus Howard A. Glickstein established this fellowship in honor of his parents, Fannie and Samuel Glickstein. This fellowship is designed to encourage public interest employment by awarding a summer Public Interest Law Fellowship to a qualified student who demonstrates a clear passion for public interest work.

HONORABLE GEORGE C. PRATT JUDICIAL FELLOW

This fellowship was created a number of years ago by the Honorable George C. Pratt, a retired member of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and a member of the Touro Law Center’s Board of Governors. The fellow receives a summer stipend while working for a member of the judiciary.

JUDGE SOL WACHTLER VETERANS SUMMER PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOWSHIP

The North Shore-LIJ Health System endowed a “Judge Sol Wachtler Veterans Summer Public Interest Fellowship”. The interest income of endowment would be used to provide an annual Summer Public Interest Fellowship to a Touro Law student who wishes to participate in the work of the Veterans’ and Servicemembers’ Rights Clinic at Touro Law – or in another summer placement explicitly working with veterans to address the legal needs that arise from psychiatric or psychosocial issues arising from their military service.

LONG ISLAND HISPANIC BAR EQUITY FELLOWSHIP

The Long Island Hispanic Bar Association Community Service Fund and Bethpage Federal Credit Union created this summer Public Interest Law Fellowship for a member of the Touro Law Latino American Law Student Association (LALSA) to work in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. The selected candidate should be bilingual, have an interest in pursing in a career as a district attorney, have ties to Long Island or the Long Island Hispanic community and have performed community service in the Hispanic community

TOURO LAW CENTER SUMMER PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FELLOWSHIP (PILF)

Based on funds raised at the Annual Public Interest Auction in March, Touro Law Center will award summer Public Interest Law Fellowships. It is anticipated that there may be as many as 13 PILF fellowships based on the success of the auction.

DAVID BERG FELLOWSHIPS

These summer Public Interest Law Fellowships were established by the David Berg Foundation. These fellowships are highly competitive and are awarded to twelve students who are highly motivated and have a demonstrated commitment to public service.

DUFFY & DUFFY FELLOWSHIP

The Duffy & Duffy Law Firm created this summer Public Interest Law Fellowship for a member of the Touro Law Latin American Law Student Association (LALSA) to be placed as a summer fellow with Duffy & Duffy, PLLC. The recipient of the Duffy & Duffy Fellowship will also be this year's recipient of the Luis Pagan Leadership Scholarship - a scholarship recently endowed by the Long Island Hispanic Bar Association Community Service Fund. The selected candidate should be a rising 2L (FT/PT) or rising 3L (five-year PT) student, bilingual, have an interest in pursuing a career as a district attorney, have ties to Long Island or the Long Island Hispanic community and have performed community service in the Hispanic community. (Please see the Luis Pagan Leadership Scholarship for more information).

SUMMER FEDERAL WORK STUDY PROGRAM

This program is available to all returning upper-class students who are eligible to participate in the Federal Work Study Program. Traditionally summer legal intern positions in the various District Attorneys’ offices, courts and government agencies, as well as not-for-profit agencies such as Legal Aid, ACLU, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, etc. are unpaid. The Federal Work Study summer program affords students the opportunity to take prestigious summer legal intern positions to gain necessary “real life” work experience, build their resumes, and network while moving forward to permanent job placement. This program also helps to off-set loan debt since students do not have to borrow additional funds to cover commuter and work-related expenses. The pay rate is $11 per hour for a 30-hour work week over a ten-week period starting June 2, 2014 the summer months. The maximum award is $3,300. Work study funds are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis and a waiting list is maintained. An email announcement is sent with instructions for applying.

*In no event may scholarship awards exceed the cost of tuition for an academic year.